Overview
- Features: Drift snorkelling in turquoise waters just metres from Ningaloo Reef
- Opening Times: Dawn to dusk, daily
- Best Time to Visit: Around low tide
- Duration: 2 to 3 hours
- Travelled By: Rental car
- Cost: Free
- Address: Exmouth, Western Australia
- Type: Snorkelling
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Summary
Turquoise Bay is one of the best beaches in Western Australia and one of the top snorkelling sites in the region. Located just metres from the Ningaloo Reef, you can drift snorkel to view the beautiful marine life below the crystal clear waters.
Snorkelling in Turquoise Bay Exmouth
Exmouth has some spectacular and easy to access snorkelling locations. The Oyster Stacks and Turquoise Bay are the best among them.
For more snorkelling areas in Exmouth, read our review of snorkelling at The Oyster Stacks.
Turquoise Bay is aptly named for its pristine blue waters and white sandy beaches. Known as one of Western Australia’s best beaches, Turquoise Bay is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon relaxing, swimming and snorkelling.
It is located in the Cape Range National Park, about 60 kms south of Exmouth.
The best part about Turquoise Bay is that you’re swimming within a few metres of the Ningaloo Reef. Considered to be one of the best snorkel sites in the area, drift snorkelling is the best way to see the marine life in the Bay.
I have to admit that Turquiose Bay is less stunning than The Oyster Stacks as it lacks the concentration of fish. However it has a different underwater topography that is appealing in its own way.
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The flat, sandy bottom makes for a good drift snorkel that continues for a long stretch until the bay joins the ocean, which is when we must abandon the water and head for shore before we are taken out to sea by the strong current.
The waters are not teeming with fish, however it is a treat when we do swim through a school of trevally feeding on the sandy bed or a parrotfish crunching on the coral.
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From the ‘Bay’ car park head south out of the Bay about 300m where you can enter the water. Swim straight out and let the current carry you north over coral bombies. Be sure to exit the water at the sand bar by swimming straight out.
Be aware that this area can possess strong currents due to a break in the reef further out. These currents are usually strongest around the sandbar at the southernmost point of the Bay. This snorkel site is suited to swimmers of an average fitness and snorkelling ability.
Tip
Please be sure to check either at the DEC office in Exmouth or at the Exmouth Visitor Centre for tide charts as it is recommended to snorkel at low tide.
